Screening and supporting the mental health of student physiotherapists during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background/Aims

The purpose of this study was to use the Model of Emotions, Adaptation and Hope as a way to screen and support physiotherapy students and understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their health by focusing on the stories (narrative) they tell.

Methods

This pilot mixed methods study included a convenience sample of BSc and MSc level student physiotherapists. A single screening online interview was conducted via Zoom or Skype. Students' narratives underwent qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis using the Model of Emotions, Adaptation and Hope.

Results

A total of 19 students took part in this study. Students identified four master plot narratives as a response to the interview: future control; lost productivity; isolation; and opportunity. Significant pre-interview to follow-up change was found in acceptance, pleasantness and energy.

Conclusions

It is possible to support the mental health of physiotherapy students by screening for difficulties and listening to and exploring their responses.

Factors which Influence Risk Taking and the Evolution of Social-Identity in Stroke Narratives: A Thematic Synthesis

Background: The disruption of a stroke can impact an individual’s sense of social identity. A comprehensive review is required to understand the factors and processes that influence changes in social identity following a stroke. Aims: To undertake a review of literature to discover a process of social identity evolution for people with stroke and identify the factors which influence it. Methods: A meta-ethnographic approach to review was undertaken and a subtle realist viewpoint was assumed. Studies were included if they documented experiences and perceptions relating to stroke. Eight electronic databases were searched from January 2009 until January 2019. Quality assessment and synthesis techniques were applied. Findings: Out of the 18 papers included, a total of 251 (141/251, 56% male, 109/251, 43% female, 1/251, 0.4% undisclosed) individuals were included within the synthesis. The evolution of social-identity model was developed and identified with five key stages to represent a process that individuals with stroke can experience. Factors which influence the process were identified and direct implications for clinical practice are given. Conclusion: This review has highlighted the major themes within the evolution of social identity and management strategies for risk taking to achieve a desired future. Further research is required to consider how these findings may be tested in clinical practice.

Psycho-emotional content of illness narrative master plots for people with chronic illness: Implications for assessment

Illness narratives are stories of illness told by patients with chronic illness. One way of studying illness narratives is by considering illness narrative master plots. An examination of illness narrative master plots has revealed the importance of psycho-emotional information contained within the story that is told. There is a need for research to capture this information in order to better understand how common stories and experiences of illness can be understood and used to aid the mental well-being of individuals with chronic illness. The current editorial provides a suggestion of how this is possible. This editorial identifies that stories can be “mapped” graphically by combining emotional responses to the illness experience with psychological responses of the illness experience relating to hope and psychological adaptation. Clinicians and researchers should consider the evidence presented within this editorial as: (1) A possible solution for documenting the mental well-being of individuals with chronic illness; and (2) As a tool that can be used to consider changes in mental well-being following an intervention. Further research using this tool will likely provide insights into how illness narrative master plots are associated together and change across the course of a chronic illness. This is particularly important for illness narrative master plots that are difficult to tell or that are illustrative of a decline in mental well-being.